Gaming

__**Benefits of Gaming in Education** __ In short: • Gaming provides a context for student learning to be facilitated • Gaming can improve students’ social skills (collaboration) • Research shows reading, spelling, spatial awareness and vocab skills can be significantly improved through gaming • Creativity enhanced through gaming (creations) • Vygotsky theory of scaffolding is supported through gaming Video games can be utilized to benefit players in several ways, such as through education about important topics. A recent study conducted on the benefits of video games found games can provide a context in which participants can discuss scenarios and outcomes in order to facilitate their understanding of important concepts [|(4)]. Other researchers have found that children's reading and spelling abilities significantly improved with exposure to educational video games [|(5)] . Video games may also improve spatial abilities, the ability to create and apply multiple strategies, and may help develop critical analyzing  techniques [|(6)]. They provide immediate feedback, so students can explore and learn how to alter their gaming techniques in order to be successful in a particular game. Teachers have also reported that video games led to collaboration among students [|(4)] . Many games require that participants work together in order to succeed in the game, which may improve players' social skills. Moreover, Fein, Campbell, and Schwartz found that in classrooms that contained a computer, children were more likely to engage in parallel play and peer interaction [|(5)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Finally, many popular games teach children the value of economics through acquiring money and then trading it for objects that facilitate the playing of the game. Players are also required to meet and exceed challenges, which may increase their desire to meet challenges in other contexts as well <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|(7)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are many positive effects to gaming. For instance, the creativity of players may be enhanced by their involvement with video games. Players often create their own games with computer technology that allows them to use their own music and visual patterns <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|(7)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. This may allow players to stimulate their brains and thought processes in order to create the often elaborate scenarios involved in complex video games. Furthermore, video games often allow players to use their imaginations in order to transport themselves into scenarios completely different from real world situations. While there are certainly creative benefits to playing video games, it is important to remember that players must be actively interested in these types of games and must be invested in them in order to gain these benefits. <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Video games may facilitate players' social development in several ways. Because players may discuss the games with their peers and may share their tactics for success, players often benefit from these positive social interactions <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|(7)]. Furthermore, simulation games may provide an environment in which players can improve their observation skills, which may lead to enhanced social interactions <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|(13)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. For example, a player who is inexperienced in making correct judgments through observation of his peers may flourish in this area after playing games that rely upon careful observations for success. These games may incorporate a type of scaffolding nature that allows the player to slowly improve his skills in this area. Researchers have shown that programs that contain a substantial amount of scaffolding also may improve language skills <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|(5)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Scaffolding is a principle proposed by <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Vygotsky that entails presenting tasks to a person that he does not currently understand, but that are within his ability to understand. The assistance in the tasks then decreases, which allows the player's abilities to gradually grow in the area [|(14)] <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Finally, some simulation video games may present players with unfamiliar words that they need to understand in order to succeed in the game; therefore, the vocabularies of players may increase as a result of playing these types of games [|(13)]. With an increase in vocabulary span and language development, players may be able to communicate with their peers in a more effective and enriched manner. <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">References: <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">) Din, F.S., & Calao <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, J. (2001). The effects of playing educational video games on kindergarten achievement. Child Study Journal, 31(2), 95 - 102. Available online at <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-NZ; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">infotrak <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14) <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Berk <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, L.E. (2000). Child Development (5th ed.). Boston, MA: <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allyn <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and Bacon. <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[] <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4) <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[| The relevance of video games and gaming consoles to the Higher and Further Education learning experience.] <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Discusses benefits to playing video games in education